Pinot Noir has the unfortunate nickname of ‘The Heartbreak Grape’. When it expresses its soils, climate and the hand of a fine winemaker, this thin skinned Burgundian grape has found a home in South Africa.

The Glen Carlou Pinot Noir 2012 proves that there is nothing ephemeral about this grape. Great care is taken with the elevation in the cellar with fermentation taking place in open top stainless steel fermenting tanks with regular pump overs taking place three time a day to extract gently the aromas, flavours and soft tannins. After pressing, the wine is matured in French 225L and 400L oak barrels for 11 months, 20% of them new, 30% second fill and 50% third fill.

Pinot Noir, small tightly packed bunches

It looks like
Packed under screw cap in a Burgundy shaped bottle with an elegant grey label. Translucent gem bright plum at the core which pales out to vioet garnet at the rim.

It smells like
Classical cherry berry fruit, and forest floor after rain whiffs.

It’s good with
Well chilled it is a great glass on its own, and also perfect with food. Coq au Vin, Boeuf Bourguignon are dishes made with this wine, so it is able to stand up to some hearty food. Great with vegetarian dishes. Carey Boucher Erasmus’s Roast Leg of Pork, Hanepoot Apples & Crispy Duck Fat Potatoes is the perfect Sunday Roast lunch to go with this wine. Click here for her recipe.

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As a young aspiring chef, Michael laid a solid foundation for his career at the Cordon Bleu Cooking School in London. Over the next 30 years he had a series of high profile hospitality management posts, was the Public Relations Manager for Boschendal and ran three successful restaurants in the Cape, one of which, Parks, featured in the national top 10 restaurants.

Michael is a family man, author and broadcaster.

A lifetime devoted to the promotion and appreciation of the South African wine and food industry has earned him many accolades, including the Lannice Snyman Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2013 Eat Out Awards.

Michael continues to be prolific, informative and entertaining on his wine and food website, michaelolivier.co.za and on his wine site, wine4friends.co.zawhich sells specially chosen wine boxes.